Q: What was your overall preparation strategy for CAT?
My strategy involved taking as many full length and sectional mock tests as possible. Taking feedback from the tests and then improving my weaknesses and leveraging my strengths was of utmost importance.
Q: Please share your sectional preparation strategy for CAT?
For Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension, I focused more on Reading newspapers, articles, and worked on my vocabulary. For Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning section, I practiced more sectional tests and full length mock tests. My preparation for Quantitative Ability (QA) section focused more on study material and sectional tests.
Q: Was there any particular section/area that you were weak at? How did you overcome this challenge?
I was especially weak at DILR. I sought extra help from my mentors and spent a lot of time practicing selection and solving sets. Set selection was extremely critical for success.
Q: What role did Mocks play in your success? How many mocks did you attempt before the exam?
I attempted around 30 full length mock tests before the exam. I did not focus on mocks in my first attempt, and hence did not get my target score. However, I corrected my mistake in the second attempt and secured a 99+ percentile score.
Q: Did you self-prepare for CAT Exam or did you attend a Coaching Centre and why?
I attended TIME for CAT coaching. I wanted to have a structured and supervised approach to my CAT preparation, hence I joined a coaching centre. My experience was great and the extra help surely played a huge part in my CAT success.
Q: Which books did you refer during your preparation and how effective were they?
I referred only to the study material provided by TIME. I found the material to be comprehensive enough for the CAT examinations, especially for the VARC and QA sections. The full-length mock tests were excellent for improving my DILR section.
Q: Please share your strategy for the CAT Day. What was your last-minute preparation?
I didn’t do any last-minute preparation. I will say just believe in your preparation, visualize success, and take the exam with utmost focus and calmness. I planned to adjust my number of attempts as per the perceived difficulty of the respective sections on CAT Day.
Q: How did you prepare for GD/PI/WAT Rounds?
I took a lots of mock PIs and GDs with alumni, read transcripts, brushed up on academics, current affairs, and behavioural questions.
Q: Do you have work experience? Please share how the work experience can help in MBA?
I do not have work experience. With three months into the program, I don’t believe that work experience is strictly necessary to have a successful MBA journey. It is all up to what the individual aims to get from the MBA experience and use the experience to achieve their career goals.
Q: What motivated you to Join SPJIMR? What were your top three criteria?
My first criteria was the quality of the marketing cohort at SPJIMR, and needless to say, it is one of the best in India. The second criteria were the non-classroom learning programmes, which differentiates SPJIMR from the other B-schools, namely – ADMAP, Abhyudaya, and DOCC. The third criteria is the location, and no city is better in terms of exposure and opportunity than Mumbai.
Q: How has been your experience so far at SPJIMR? Please share some high points
The first term has been a rollercoaster ride. With summer placements, exams, quizzes, evaluations, and classes all at their peak, it is truly challenging. The experience comes with its high points too though, with lots of fun activities on campus, incredible impromptu experiences with friends, and a plethora of other experiences that you’d get only in an MBA program.
Q: Whom you would like to give credit for your success?
My parents, friends, mentors, and seniors played a huge role. Their support helped me navigate the labyrinth of the CAT preparation process and overcome the challenge.
Q: What challenges did you faced during your life, academics, preparation? How did you overcome them?
The monotony is definitely the worst part. Keeping yourself motivated and energized to pursue your target over months requires a lot of focus, discipline, and perseverance. It is important to keep taking breaks and engaging in activities such as sport, art, or any other interest areas to prevent burnout. Having meaningful and healthy social interactions at regular intervals is essential. Maintaining good physical and mental health is also of paramount importance.
Q: How can B-schools make their MBA admission process less cumbersome…
Perhaps they can increase the transparency in the selection process. The candidates are left with cold rejection mails without any explanation. This prevents them from learning from their mistakes and fills them with self-doubt and a fear from further rejections.
Q: Finally, your message and tips for candidates preparing for CAT 2024
Just keep yourself calm, don’t let the pressure paralyse you. Take one step at a time and it’ll all work out. Everyone makes it, and this examination is not an indication of your potential or self-worth.
